FDR slaps Andy Sullivan upside the head

Kevin Drum calls attention to words of Andrew Sullivan--

I also noticed in my latest letter from the Social Security Administration that, as currently configured, I'll get 76 percent of what I'm due if and when I retire. My bet is that it will turn out to be less than half. The boomers are going to hog all of it for themselves.

--and notes Sullivan partaking of a farce--

Assuming Wikipedia has his age right, Andrew will turn 65 in 2028. Even if we do absolutely nothing, CBO estimates that Social Security will pay out full benefits at least until 2053. Andrew will be 90 years old at that point. What's more, a very modest tax increase starting a decade from now combined with a very modest slowdown in benefit growth will keep the system solvent forever.

--which gives me a chance to break out my favorite FDR quote, which happens to be addressed to the Andrew Sullivans of his time: people who spun scare-mongering fairy tales that Social Security wouldn't be available for people when they retire--

Only desperate men with their backs to the wall would descend so far below the level of decent citizenship.

As an aside, may I also note my conviction that unless liberals once again regain the skill to call liars, well, liars - our long national nightmare of conservatism won't end. It's not wrong to yell fire in a crowded theater after all, if the theater is actually on fire.

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